KANDOLIN 2ND, JACKS 4TH AT SUMMIT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sunday, April 23

Lincoln, Neb. | WILDERNESS RIDGE

South Dakota State University

Summit League Championship

Photo by: Dennis Hubbard

4/25/2023 7:25:00 PM | Women's Golf

LINCOLN, Neb. - Alex Kandolin posted a career-best 54-hole tally to finish runner-up at the Summit League Women's Golf Championships Tuesday. The Jackrabbit team finished fourth.

Kandolin used an even-par 70 in Tuesday's round to bring her three-day total to 213 (E). The senior was 2-over through hole 10, then rolled in consecutive birdies on 11 and 12 and stayed even the rest of the way. This is the second top-10 finish of Kandolin's career.

Kandolin was one of the steadiest players at the tournament, tallying 47 holes at par-or-better. As a team, South Dakota State recorded 30 birdies, the second most of all teams.

"Congratulations to Alex on her runner-up finish," said head coach Ericka Schneider. "It is much deserved! Posting her career 54-hole record is not shocking to [Coach Hullinger] and me. It's been a long time coming - the sky is the limit for not only Alex but the team as well. Seeing the player and person Alex become as the season has progressed has been amazing. She's an incredible leader, a joy to coach and I'm so grateful we get one more year with her."

No. 38 Denver (852, E) won the team title by a 16-stroke margin over South Dakota (868, +16). North Dakota State was third (872, +20) followed by SDSU (885, +33). The Jacks' 885 (+33) is their best team score and score-to-par this season.

"This team as a whole has worked hard and gotten better with each tournament we've played," Schneider continued. "I have enjoyed my first season here at SDSU immensely and it's because of my players. They work hard, push each other on and off the golf course, representing this program and SDSU with the utmost respect and pride. When you take over a program it can be a 50/50 shot when inheriting players and if you will be able to connect and develop a good player/coach relationship with them, having not recruited them yourself. I have so much gratitude for my AD, Justin Sell, for putting his trust in me to take over the women's golf program here at SDSU. I believe with every fiber of my being the players who were meant to be here, are. I can't thank this team enough for sticking with me and trusting in me to lead them this season. I couldn't be more grateful to coach this group and to get to do it with an awesome assistant like Brodie, it makes me excited for the years to come! These players are here to compete and are hungry to get better with everything they do. I can't wait to see what is in store for the future of the SDSU women's golf program! Go Jacks!"

McKenzie Mages finished 15th for the Jackrabbits with a 221 (+8) final score, her career best. Piper Stubbs was two shots back in 18th place (221 (+8). Tatum Depuydt was 31st overall (230, +17) and recorded her best round of the week Tuesday, a 73 (+2), to jump five spots on the leaderboard. Shakira-Ann Kuys ended in a three-way tie for 34th place (233, +20).

Denver's Anna Krekling established new Summit League Championship records for 54-hole scoring (204,-9) and single-round scoring with a closing 64 (-7) to guide the Pioneers to their fourth straight Championship title.

-GoJacks.com-